ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 6, 1999
Author/Local: Guy Gusdal (6461)
RTS No. 363

CC File No. 2612-9

TO:	Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM:	Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT:	175 Robson Street - Class `A' Lounge New Hotel: Canada House on Robson Ltd.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council endorse the request from Canada House on Robson Ltd., for a Class `A' Lounge liquor license with 150 seats and a 37-seat patio on private property in a new hotel at 175 Robson Street, having considered the support of residents and business operators of the community as determined by neighbourhood notification and subject to:

i. The patio closing at 11:00 p.m.

ii. A time-limited Development Permit.

iii. A signed Good Neighbour Agreement, prior to the issuance of the business license.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Service RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council policy is to consider waiving the requirement for a referendum for a new Class `A' Lounge liquor license within a new or existing full-service hotel located in the downtown core, provided it is illustrated there is little or no community opposition as determined by the response to the neighbourhood notification process.

PURPOSE

Canada House on Robson Ltd., is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing its application for a Class `A' Lounge liquor license with 150 seats and a 37-seat patio on private property in a new hotel to be constructed at 175 Robson Street.

BACKGROUND

Liquor licenses for new hotels are normally processed as part of the development permit application. The proposed 19-storey hotel will have a total of 175 suites, retail stores, a restaurant, health club, meeting rooms, general offices and three levels of underground parking. The development permit application, DE402652, for the construction of the hotel has received "prior-to" approval, with a number of conditions. The applicant has been notified that the requested lounge should be applied for under a separate development permit application to better provide for Council's time-limited development permit policy for licensed premises. The applicant has submitted a letter stating they will comply with the instructions.

At this time, the plans and configuration of the lounge have not been finalized and the actual seating may be less than the 150 seats requested. The number of permitted patio seats may change, subject to the final number of indoor seats.

The lounge will be located on the ground floor fronting on Robson Street. Access to the lounge will be from the lobby as well as directly from Robson Street, and will cater to patrons of the hotel and events at B.C. Place, G.M. Place, the Ford Theatre and Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The proposed decor in the lounge will be upscale and sophisticated, suitable for a distinguished, low key atmosphere. Entertainment will consist of background music and occasional live music by a pianist.

The subject premises are located in DD (Downtown District) zoning. The surrounding area is a mixture of retail, office, hotel, stadium, arena, restaurant, neighbourhood pub and residential uses. The closest residential development is located approximately a block west, on the south side of Robson Street, and the YWCA Hotel/Residence is approximately 1500 feet north of the site (Appendix A).

There is one Class `A' Pub (146 seats), five Class `A' Lounges (10,640 seats), one Class `D' Neighbourhood Brewpub (65 seats, but not yet in operation) one Class `E' Concert Hall, one Class `E Stadium and ten licensed restaurants within the 1,000 feet survey area. The closest provincial liquor store is at 555 West Hastings Street (Harbour Centre).

COMMENTS

The Police Department's Yaletown Community Police Office recognizes the hotel will be run in a professional manner, but is concerned over the close proximity of the lounge to GM Place and BC Place and the potential for over service and rowdy patrons in the area pre and post games at these sports facilities.

It is recommended that the applicant consults with Constable Candy Anfied, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) regarding the design and security features of the parking facilities, as this area of Robson Street has a high rate of theft from auto incidents.

The Planning Department advises that on January 12, 1998, the Development Permit Board approved "in principle" under Preliminary Development Permit Number DE402652, the concept of developing this site with a 19-storey hotel, including a two-storey commercial podium base. On September 22, 1998, the Director of Planning approved the "complete" development application, subject to a number of conditions.

The applicant has recently submitted plans addressing the outstanding issues. However, these latest plans have not yet been fully reviewed. The plans for the hotel include an area on the ground floor designated as a lounge and an adjacent outdoor seating area located on the Robson Street frontage.

The Environmental Health Division of the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board has no objection at this time. However, approval for outdoor patio seating would have to be reviewed when the hotel is constructed to assess any impact on neighbouring residential premises.

The Social Planning Department and Housing Centre have no comments on the application.

The results of the neighbourhood notification will be provided to the Commission at the meeting.

CONCLUSION

Staff support this application as liquor licensed facilities in full-service hotels are normally not an enforcement problem due to the nature of the operation and the hotel component of the business. It is recommended that a maximum 11:00 p.m. closing be established for the patio, in order to minimize the potential impacts on the neighbouring residential buildings.

ATTACHMENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ELECTRONIC COPY ARE AVAILABLE ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver